1.James Madison- March 16, 1751- June 28, 1836 2.Political Party: Democratic-Republican 3.Terms: two terms (1809–1817) 4.Vice President: George Clinton (1809-1812) &Elbridge Gerry (1813-1814)
James Madison, known as “the Father of the Constitution” and “Father of the Bill of Rights” wrote many laws and resolutions that shaped our country in its early years. He was a leader at the Virgina Constitution in 1776 and an important member in the Continental Congress. Madison’s life as a leader in democracy made him one of our most important founder fathers, however his lackluster presidency earns him only a ‘C’ for average.
Madison’s goals as a president and a leader were to secure the ideals of our nation being a republic and to stabilize relations with France and Britain. From his days of writing much of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, to secretly penning, with Thomas Jefferson, the resolutions condemning the Alien and Sedition Acts, Madison’s writing of laws and governmental shaping were his legacy. Madison was also thrown into foreign affair issues with the failure of Jefferson’s Embargo Act. Before he took office in 1809, Congress enacted the Non-Intercourse Act, basically ending trade with Britain and France; this was a major economic issue that eventually led to the war of 1812 with Britain. The war, which achieved very little, ended when a treaty was signed in 1814. Much of economic stress that caused the war ended when the fighting between France and Britain ended.
Although the Congress majority was democratic Republican, Madison did not always agree on issues. During the second year of his administration, the 20 year charter for the First Bank of the United States was to end. A bill to recharter the bank was vetoed by Madison, however, he in 1815 he asked Congress for a new Second Bank of the United States. It was signed into law in 1816. The end of the failed Embargo Act led to a new law, the Non-Intercourse Act. These acts were designed to allow the United States to trade with others countries during the seemingly never ending wars between France and Britain, while providing protection for our trade ships and sailors. Though trying to stay neutral through the trade issues, war was declared by Congress in 1812 against Britain.
It seems that the most positive outcome of Madison’s administration was also his most negative. Again, I’ll refer to the War of 1812, because most of his presidency was spent trying to avoid it, then fighting it and ending it. Another positive was the Second Bank of the United States, that positive was undermined by the veto of keeping the First Bank. It seemed that good intentions did not make positive outcomes.
The most influential act of President Madison was the creation of the Federal bank. It helped to fund wars and create stability in our economy. It also gave future presidents the ability to concentrate on domestic affairs rather than be completely engulfed in foreign affairs, as Madison was.
As for our country being better or worse off after the Madison administration, I would have to say it’s even. Many laws and acts were passed during his presidency, however, Madison’s alignment of governmental party ideas shifted toward a federalist view, he started to agree with a strong central government and federal banking system, even though the federalist party lost its status as a national political organization by the end of his presidency. It is safe to say James Madison was an American hero, but his two terms as president, yielded little as a whole.
"American President: James Madison." Miller Center of Public Affairs- University of Virginia. University of Virginia. Web. 24 Sept. 2009. <http://millercenter.org/>.
1. James Madison- March 16, 1751- June 28, 1836
2. Political Party: Democratic-Republican
3. Terms: two terms (1809–1817)
4. Vice President: George Clinton (1809-1812) &Elbridge Gerry (1813-1814)
James Madison, known as “the Father of the Constitution” and “Father of the Bill of Rights” wrote many laws and resolutions that shaped our country in its early years. He was a leader at the Virgina Constitution in 1776 and an important member in the Continental Congress. Madison’s life as a leader in democracy made him one of our most important founder fathers, however his lackluster presidency earns him only a ‘C’ for average.
Madison’s goals as a president and a leader were to secure the ideals of our nation being a republic and to stabilize relations with France and Britain. From his days of writing much of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, to secretly penning, with Thomas Jefferson, the resolutions condemning the Alien and Sedition Acts, Madison’s writing of laws and governmental shaping were his legacy. Madison was also thrown into foreign affair issues with the failure of Jefferson’s Embargo Act. Before he took office in 1809, Congress enacted the Non-Intercourse Act, basically ending trade with Britain and France; this was a major economic issue that eventually led to the war of 1812 with Britain. The war, which achieved very little, ended when a treaty was signed in 1814. Much of economic stress that caused the war ended when the fighting between France and Britain ended.
Although the Congress majority was democratic Republican, Madison did not always agree on issues. During the second year of his administration, the 20 year charter for the First Bank of the United States was to end. A bill to recharter the bank was vetoed by Madison, however, he in 1815 he asked Congress for a new Second Bank of the United States. It was signed into law in 1816. The end of the failed Embargo Act led to a new law, the Non-Intercourse Act. These acts were designed to allow the United States to trade with others countries during the seemingly never ending wars between France and Britain, while providing protection for our trade ships and sailors. Though trying to stay neutral through the trade issues, war was declared by Congress in 1812 against Britain.
It seems that the most positive outcome of Madison’s administration was also his most negative. Again, I’ll refer to the War of 1812, because most of his presidency was spent trying to avoid it, then fighting it and ending it. Another positive was the Second Bank of the United States, that positive was undermined by the veto of keeping the First Bank. It seemed that good intentions did not make positive outcomes.
The most influential act of President Madison was the creation of the Federal bank. It helped to fund wars and create stability in our economy. It also gave future presidents the ability to concentrate on domestic affairs rather than be completely engulfed in foreign affairs, as Madison was.
As for our country being better or worse off after the Madison administration, I would have to say it’s even. Many laws and acts were passed during his presidency, however, Madison’s alignment of governmental party ideas shifted toward a federalist view, he started to agree with a strong central government and federal banking system, even though the federalist party lost its status as a national political organization by the end of his presidency. It is safe to say James Madison was an American hero, but his two terms as president, yielded little as a whole.
Bibliography/ Works Cited:
“About the White House: Presidents.” Biography of James Madison.
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamesmadison/>.
"American President: James Madison." Miller Center of Public Affairs- University of Virginia. University of Virginia. Web. 24 Sept. 2009. <http://millercenter.org/>.
Garman, Gene. “James Madison Veto Messages.” Sunset web. 24 Sept. 2009. < http://www.sunnetworks.net/~ggarman/madison>.
James Madison." Wikipedia- the free encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Sept.Oct. 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/>.
"The James Madison Papers." The Library of Congress. 24 Sept. 2009 < http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/connections/james-madison/>.
William A. Degregorio, . The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. 6th Edition. Fort Lee: Barricade Books Inc., 2005. Print.